Image Size
Medium-format cameras produce an image that is 2.7 times larger than a standard 35mm camera. 35mm film is 24x36mm; a 6x4.5 medium format is 42x55.1mm; medium format can also go larger, to 6x6 and 6x7. The 645 series medium formats are entry-level models; Mamiya and Pentax make several. These images are shot on 120 and 220 film.
The Film
For medium-format cameras, 120 film produces 12 square (6x6) images; 645-type cameras get 16 shots, while a 6x9 format gets 8 shots. The 120 film was introduced in 1902, and works in all medium-format cameras, which will size the images differently depending on the type of camera. 120 film is comprised of a black paper roll with film taped to it; the black paper means you can load it in daylight. The paper has markings on it so the photographer can look through a window on the camera and advance the film to the proper position for shooting a picture in a 645-series camera, a 6x6, a 6x7 or a 6x9.
The 220 film eliminates the paper for a film lead and tail to get twice as many exposures, but does not work in all cameras.
Digital Medium Format Cameras
Several companies, including Mamiya, have created digital backs that can fit on medium-format film cameras, converting them to digital. The backs are very expensive, often costing $5,000 or more, depending on the size of the back needed. The pixel count on these backs is very large; Hasselblad introduced a 22-megapixel medium-format camera, while Leaf released a 56-megapixel medium-format camera. These cameras produce stunning images.
Tags: backs very, black paper, camera film, cameras produce, digital backs
